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Training Class Schedule

Class Registration

Pre-Class Preparation Information

 

 

Orientation	Starts (week of)	Ends (week of)
01/03/12	Mon 01/09	Mon 02/13
02/21/12	Mon 02/27	Mon 04/02
05/29/12	Mon 06/04	Mon 07/09
07/17/12	Mon 07/23	Mon 08/27
09/04/12	Mon 09/10	Mon 09/15

 

Please pre-register to avoid disappointment
Classes fill early!

 

Group classes give you the skills and information you need to train your dog. They also provide an excellent environment for socialization and working through distractions. We operate on the premise that dogs learn quicker and retain longer when they are rewarded for desired behaviors immediately and consistently.

Notes on discounts:

• PDX LOVES Chattanooga's rescue groups! Bring your adoption certificate and receive a $10 discount toward any training class.

• Returning students light up our lives. Remind us to discount your classes by $10.

• PDX Daycare dogs get a $10 off of any class plus $10 off on their next pass!

• Hooked on training? Your fifth class and beyond are only $50!

Head Start: for puppies 2-5 months old. This is where puppies learn how to learn. We cover puppy basics including crate training, house breaking, grooming, teething, nutrition, exercise, equipment, and lots of socialization to build a great foundation for a confident, reliable dog. We also begin obedience work with sit, down, come, and walking on leash without pulling. This is a revolving class, so it always begins next week! Instructor: Nancy Miller

S.T.A.R. Puppy: for puppies 5-10 months old. STAR stands for Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibility, and this class covers aspects of each in order to provide both ends of the leash with the education necessary for a long and joyful life together. This class is a great foundation for Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog certifications. Instructors: Nancy Cambron and Donna Green

Manners Matter: especially designed for adolescent dogs 10 - 24 months old. Real-world application of cutting edge techniques. We use fun and games to improve your puppy's self control and understanding of how to make good choices. You will learn to teach your dog to sit, down, come, and stay, and troubleshoot common issues like pulling on leash, barking and jumping on people, charging through doors, nipping, and inappropriate chewing. Instructor: Julie Jones-Thornton

Basic Obedience: A well-mannered dog is a joy forever! This entry-level class is geared toward dogs over 2 years old. The goal is to develop your skills as a trainer while teaching your dog obedience fundamentals. We cover important and useful behaviors including sit, down, come, stay, heel, wait, leave it, proper greetings, and more. Instructor: Nancy Miller

Really Reliable Recall: 3-week focus course! Easy-to-follow steps to train your dog to come when it really counts, in an emergency. Learn how to build trust and ensure safety. Once trained, the recall works immediately in any situation, no matter what your dog is doing. He doesn’t think, he doesn’t decide, he just comes to you. Please note: schedule this class when you can attend all three weeks. No discounts apply. For dogs of all ages. Instructor: Nancy Cambron

Canine Good Citizen/Therapy Dog: This is an intermediate-level class that prepares both ends of the leash to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dogs International certification exams. Test items include polite greeting behavior with people & dogs, appearance & grooming, focusing with distractions, working comfortably around medical equipment and institutional environments, building confidence for a short separation from the handler, plus sit, down, come, and stay on command in highly distracting situations. Instructor: Nancy Cambron

Competition Rally Obedience: Rally Obedience is fast-paced, challenging, and loads of fun. You’ll learn 50 different exercises, utilizing advanced attention and heelwork, fronts, and finishes. We’ll introduce jumps, backing, and more difficult self-control exercises with props, toys, and treats. It’s a great way to continue your education, improve your training skills, and have fun with your dog. For those interested in competing, we work all of the exercises in AKC Novice, Advanced, and Excellent levels as well as coursework from sequence training to entire run-throughs. Instructor: Nancy Miller

Competition Obedience: In this class, we work the behaviors necessary to complete the exercises in AKC Obedience from pre-novice through Utility, as well as the motivational games that make them compelling for both the dog and handler. We also cover ring protocol, elements of competition levels, and do complete run-throughs for teams that are preparing to compete. This is an intermediate- to advanced-level class, and incoming teams are expected to know down, sit, stand, heel, stay, come, and front, and complete them on one command with mild distractions. This class compliments the Competition Rally Obedience class. Instructor: Bev Eitner

Agility 1: Foundations: The foundation work covered in this class is essential for a great experience in the sport of agility, or just having a boatload of fun with your dog. You will learn about circle work, directional signals, socialization in a highly-charged environment, building anticipation into control positions (sit, down, stand), and infusing enthusiasm into your training sessions. This class is guaranteed to improving your communication and trainer skills. There are no age restrictions. It is the entry level into our Agility curriculum, and required as a pre-requisite to Teeters & Weaves. Instructor: Julie Jones-Thornton

Agility 2: Teeters & Weaves: Weaves are the hardest obstacle to master, and the quickest to fall apart. Teeters also tend to be a challenge for many dogs since the movement and BANG! can undermine their confidence. While the focus of this class is to gain confidence with teeters and weaves, we will also further develop contact performance on the dogwalk and a-frame, improve off-leash reliability, and continue to build on foundation work with shadow handling and self-control exercises. Instructor: Carla Boudrot

Agility 3: Obstacles: This class introduces each obstacle used in AKC agility, including all jumps (broad, non-winged, winged, tire), contacts (dog walk, A-frame, table, teeter), and tunnels (open and closed). Dogs must be at least 9 months old and have completed the Agility Foundations and Teeters & Weaves classes, and been recommended for progression. Emphasis is placed on safety and excellence from the start to ensure a positive and motivational experience. Instructor: Bev Kriewald

Agility 4: Sequences: This class is designed to prepare dog/handler teams for AKC agility trials. Topics include sequencing obstacles, leading out, crosses, proofing, and working up to full competition jump height. Prerequisite is completion of a beginning agility class and recommendation by a PDX instructor. Because we work off-leash, dogs must be able to demonstrate reliable sit, down, come, and stay with a variety of distractions. Instructor: Bev Kriewald

Agility 5: Novice & Open Course Work: Each week will feature an AKC Novice or Open course from a recent area agility trial. For folks getting ready to compete, this is your chance to test your moves on real-world trial challenges. You will also learn about course analysis, scoring, and how to avoid common mistakes. Prerequisite is competency on all obstacles and common jump sequences plus 12 straight weaves. Instructor: Bev Kriewald

Agility 6: Competition: This drop-in class is designed for teams already competing in agility, who are looking to refine skills, build drive, increase distance, and strengthen teamwork. Students should be fluent on all obstacles, including weaves and teeter, and be reliable off-leash with a variety of distractions. Instructors: Bev Kriewald and Carla Boudrot (alternating sessions)

Please note: classes without at least 4 students will be cancelled. Classes are limited to 10 dog/handler teams. Agility classes are limited to 8 teams.